The Sword Of Sunshine [Eng Ver]

Chapter 1

Isidore Empire, also known as the Northern Empire. A desolate, icy wasteland, perpetually shrouded in snow, surrounded by towering mountains and deep valleys, where a hidden empire lay beyond the permafrost wall. The people here have gradually adapted to the unrelenting chill, their lives intertwined with the harsh realities, revering winter as their divine deity.

The place where I live is a small, peaceful countryside. There is not much to this simple village except for the kind and friendly people. Life here is a poor life.

The village is quite far from the capital and we are actually at the lowest level of society. My village does not receive the benefits of the empire, but is just a small, independent village.

I live alone with my younger brother in a wooden house in the north of the pine forest, quite a distance from the main village. We have always had to live in seclusion because of the war. The war between the North and the South has lasted for fifty years and shows no signs of stopping. Because of that war, my brother and I had lost our mother while father has gone to the battlefield.

Five years have passed since father went to war. And the hope of his return, has slowly dwindled to a mere ember.

Thirteen years old filled with unspoken worries. My younger brother, Dylan, is only twelve years old. The weight of the world has fallen on our shoulders since our parents gone. The small wooden house was all we had left.

Dylan, with his dark red hair, amber eyes that shimmered like distant stars. He was a bright and mischievous boy.

"What are we having for dinner?"

Dylan sat obediently at the dining table, looking curiously at me as I brought out the food from the kitchen.

"...Sorry, today we're having potatoes...again"

A decent meal was a luxury for kids like us. At this time, even though potatoes were cheap food, they were still a great value in a meal, because they were all we could afford at the moment. Just that, was enough.

"It doesn't matter, I'll eat anything"

I knew he was just saying that to comfort himself, the reluctance was evident in his tone as he spoke. Yet, sometimes his enjoyment of even the simplest meal, was a small consolation to me. Dylan was a sensible child, he didn't deserve to go through such terrible things, at such a young age.

There weren't many things for orphans like us to do. Sometimes I would try to sell some herbs I collected on the hill or run errands for anyone who would pay us. I was used to this hard life, a person with no education and no outstanding skills would have a hard time finding a decent job. Even as a maid. Moreover, our status was low, as we were merely lowly wild wolves.

"Can I go out for a while?"

"Where are you going at this hour?"

Setting down my fork, I turned to look at him. It was six o'clock in the evening.

"Nothing important, I just want to go out for a bit. Besides, it's still early"

A simple shrugged, his nonchalant attitude making me uncomfortable. It was as if he was up to something shady. He was clearly hiding something.

"Can't you do it tomorrow? Where are you going and what are you doing?"

Dylan shook his head, looking at me with a determined gaze as if it was urgent.

"I'm grown up now, I can take care of myself. I promise, I'll only be gone for an hour."

"...It's not safe outside..."